There are a lot of old manual lenses that are every bit as good optically as their modern AF equivalents. Importantly, they are a pleasure to use, far more so than modern automated lenses. They also tend to be significantly smaller (not so much in Pentax) though not lighter due to their metal build and superb build quality.

I do recommend choosing carefully though because many old lenses, while they may be very sharp, lack in colour and contrast, and give flat images that need boosted in software to look good.

Bump.

The M 50/1.7 is one of the best lenses out there, I love mine.

Yep, looks like Jessops is going too. Hardly surprising given that they had no more knowledge of cameras than the staff in Tesco yet demand premium prices.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20958659

Natural light is the best when there's enough of it. Failing that, bounced flash is usually the next best option. Direct, on-camera flash is a last resort, only suitable for snapshots.

It's about time Pentax refreshed their flash line-up. I hope build quality is increased.

[quote:3496ace15f="johnriley"]Bounced flash, or using a remote trigger, can be used to preserve atmosphere. That's why I'd want a hotshoe, not simply to add more power.

That would be a good setup for a party, to instantly improve your results by bouncing flash rather than using it directly.

I,'ve been after a compact with a hotshoe for a while. The reason is that it's already got a small sensor so is poor in low light, so why hobble it even further by not allowing external flash? That's very much what they call a deal-breaker.

Exactly.

I know it's a common problem but I'm not sure if you can repair it yourself, I imagine you'll need a spare spring.